New York

Rochester radio hosts fired over transphobic broadcast back on the air

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A controversial radio duo fired earlier this year following a transphobic radio broadcast, are back on the air at a new station.

Kimberly Ray (right) and Barry Beck

Kimberly Ray and Barry Beck, know to Rochester radio listeners as “Kimberly and Beck,” announced Thursday they will host the afternoon “drive time” broadcast weekdays on WQBW Radio. The station began promoting the show on social media and on their website.

Ray and Beck later apologized for the broadcast, saying “Our attempt was to discuss a controversial healthcare issue; however our lack of sensitivity and understanding of the Transgender people and their plight created 12 minutes of radio that we wish we could take back.”

In announcing the new show Thursday, Ray and Beck said it will be similar to the show they have been doing for 13 years, and don’t deny they might say something else that gets them in trouble.

“Oh we’ll probably say stupid things. I mean, there’s no doubt. We’re all human,” said Ray. “There are things that you say that in a minute you wish you could take back. It’s the nature of the business. We never intend to hurt anyone.”